Elementary education lays the foundation for a child's future learning habits and goals.

Beyond instruction in the three Rs, these teachers play an important role in the development of young students' critical thinking skills and their ability to adapt to new situations and socialize with their peers. Plant the seed. Foster the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Outcomes & Outlook

92%

of Class of 2023 elementary education graduates were working or enrolled in graduate school by one year after graduation
Emmanuel College Outcomes Survey, 2024

100%

of Class of 2024 elementary education graduates report their major prepared them for a career after graduation
Emmanuel College Outcomes Survey, 2024

$87,660

is the mean annual wage for elementary school teachers in the Boston area
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

9

The Boston area has the ninth highest employment level of elementary school teachers nationwide
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

A First-Class Experience

Get to know the people and programs that will define your academic journey.

Student-Faculty Research Highlights: Education

Meet the Faculty

Our distinguished faculty publish, exhibit and research. Present, compose and chair. Inspire and collaborate.

The Curriculum

View the 2024-2025 Academic Catalog to find course titles, numbers and descriptions.

Students interested in Elementary Teaching Licensure (grades 1-6) will complete the liberal studies major and the education major. The liberal studies major is designed specifically for elementary licensure and to prepare elementary teachers in the content they will teach.

Liberal Studies Major Requirements for Elementary Education Majors

  • BIOL1101 Life on Earth (SI-L) (NSL)
  • CHEM1110 Introduction to Physical Sciences (SI-L) (NSL)
  • MATH1120 Foundations of Mathematics for Teachers I (QA) (QR)
  • MATH1122 Foundations of Mathematics for Teachers II (QA) 
  • MATH2122 Foundations of Mathematics for Teachers III (QA) 

Choose one English Literature or American Voices

  • ENGL2101 Romance and Conquest in British Literature: 900-1600 (AI-L) (LI) 
  • ENGL2102 Imperialism and Resistance in British Literature: 1800-Present (AI-L) (LI) (DM)  ENGL2304 American Voices I (AI-L) (LI) (DM) 
  • ENGL2604 American Voices II (AI-L) (DM)

Choose one HIST with World History Focus

  • HIST1107 African History: Themes (H) (HI)
    HIST1108 World History to 1500(H) (HI) (DM)
    HIST1109 Modern World History (H) (HI)
    HIST1111 An Introduction to East Asian History (HI) (DM)
    HIST1114 Creating the Atlantic World (HI)
    HIST2119 19th Century Europe: Democracy and Imperialism (H) (HI)
    HIST2120 Europe in the Era of World War (H) (HI) (DM)
    HIST2125 History of Modern Latin America (H) (HI)
    HIST2126 History of Japan Since 1600 (H) (HI) (DM)
    HIST2140 History of the Modern Middle East
    HIST2207 Slavery and Global History (H) (HI) (DM)
    HIST2401 Modern China: Continuity and Change (H) (HI) (DM)

Choose one HIST with US History Focus

  • HIST1105 United States History to 1877 (H) (HI)
    HIST1106 United States History Since 1877 (H) (HI)
    HIST2105 America Since 1960 (HI)
    HIST2106 A History of New England: 1500-Present (H) (HI)
    HIST2128 Immigrants in the American Experience (HI) (DM)
    HIST2130 African American History:1865 to the Present (H) (HI)
    HIST2205 Women in American History (H) (HI)
    HIST2210 Themes in History of the American West (H) (HI)
    HIST2222 The Business of America: An Economic History of the U.S. (H) (HI)

Choose one 2000-level course

  • ART2217 American Art: An Anti-Racist Progressive History (AI-A) (VCI) (DM)
  • ECON2203 An Economic View of the World (SA) (SS)
  • SOC2129 Cultural Geography (SA) (SS)
  • PSYCH2303 Child Development (SA) (SS)

Choose one 3000-level course

  • ENGL3307 Survey Literature for Children and Young Adults 
  • POLSC3202 The American Presidency
  • POLSC3210/EDUC3210 The Politics of Education Policy: Developing Agency (SJ) 
  • PSYCH3210 Child Psychopathology

 

First Year

  • EDUC1111 The Great American Experiment (SA) (SS) (SJ)

Second Year

  • EDUC2211 Learning, Teaching and the Elementary Curriculum
  • EDUC2212 Teaching All Students, Grades 1-6*

Third Year

  • EDUC3211 Literacy and Literacy Methods I
  • EDUC3212 Literacy and Literacy Methods II*
  • EDUC3213 Mathematics Methods for Elementary Grades*
  • EDUC3215 Explorations in Science and Engineering: Grades 1-6
  • EDUC3216 History and Social Science Methods: Grades PreK-6
  • EDUC3300 Sheltered English Instruction: Teaching English Language Learners

Fourth Year

  • EDUC4467 Student Teaching Practicum
  • EDUC4468 Student Teaching Capstone Seminar

* Includes pre-practicum field-based experience

The programs of study in elementary and secondary education is designed to develop students' abilities in the seven performance areas required for initial licensure in elementary and secondary teaching in the state of Massachusetts. Upon completion of the elementary or secondary education programs at Emmanuel, students will be able to:

  • Create safe and well-managed learning environments which promote equity and collaboration among heterogeneous learners and nurture development across the cognitive, emotional and social domains.
  • Plan learning experiences which involve learners as sense-makers and promote deep understanding of disciplinary ideas by engaging learners in active exploration of real-world problems, materials, and challenges, and examining student work products to make assessments of learning and teaching.
  • Utilize a broad range of instructional practices, reflective of the ways of knowing in the disciplines they teach, to ensure that all learners regardless of differences in readiness, background, learning style, culture, or language competency have opportunities to learn through access to a rich curriculum.
  • Forge positive relationships with families and engage in regular, two-way, culturally proficient communication with families about students and their learning, and build into the curriculum materials the richness of the cultures and heritage of the students they teach.
  • Develop curricula which deepens learners' appreciation for American civic culture, its underlying ideals, founding principles and political institutions and which actualizes learners' capacities to participate and lead in their communities, both locally and globally.
  • Advance issues of social justice within the classroom, school and community.
  • Contribute to the knowledge base about learning, teaching and assessment and participate in a culture of reflective practice and inquiry.

What can I do with a degree in elementary education?

A degree in elementary education prepares graduates to teach in a classroom setting with children in grades K-6. Some potential career paths for graduates with a degree in elementary education include:

  • Elementary school teacher: The most common career path for graduates with a degree in elementary education is to become an elementary school teacher. Teachers in this field are responsible for creating lesson plans, grading assignments, and managing their classroom.
  • Curriculum developer: Graduates with a degree in elementary education can also work as curriculum developers. In this role, they create and evaluate educational materials and lesson plans for schools and educational organizations.
  • Education administrator: Graduates can also pursue a career as an education administrator, working in a variety of roles such as principal, assistant principal, or curriculum coordinator.
  • Educational consultant: Graduates can become educational consultants and work with schools and other educational organizations to improve student learning and achievement.
  • Tutor or educational coach: Graduates can also work as tutors or educational coaches, providing one-on-one or small group instruction to students who need extra help in specific subjects.

Elementary education majors obtain a variety of skills, including:

  • Classroom management: They learn how to create a positive and productive learning environment, manage student behavior, and promote cooperation and respect.
  • Curriculum development: They learn how to design and implement lesson plans that are age-appropriate and engaging, and align with state standards.
  • Instructional strategies: They learn how to use various instructional methods and technologies to teach a diverse group of students with different learning styles.
  • Assessment and evaluation: They learn how to assess student progress, provide feedback, and use data to improve teaching and learning.
  • Communication and collaboration: They learn how to communicate effectively with students, parents, and colleagues, and work collaboratively to support student learning and achievement.
  • Cultural competence: They learn how to create inclusive learning environments that respect and value the diversity of all students and their families.
  • Adaptability and flexibility: They learn how to adapt to changes in the curriculum, school policies, and student needs, and be flexible in their teaching strategies to meet individual student needs.
  • Passion for teaching: They develop a strong passion for teaching and helping students achieve their full potential, and a commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth.
Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Where Essential Values and Skills Meet the Real World

Along with areas of knowledge and major requirements, you will cultivate essential values in the classroom and complete two courses in each area:

  • Social Justice (SJ): Develop knowledge, skills, values and motivation to participate beneficially in activities of personal and public concern.
  • Diversity & Multiculturalism (DM): Understand the complexity of identity the historical truths of different cultural perspectives to address bias and examine contemporary social issues. 

One hundred percent of Emmanuel students complete an internship or practicum as part of the core curriculum. In a city as dynamic as Boston, your options are bound only by the limits of your curiosity.

Students from the School of Education complete their student teaching at many sites in Boston, including Boston Latin School, Cathedral High School, Eliot Innovation School, Fenway High School, OLPH Mission Grammar School, Richard J. Murphy School, and the Maurice Tobin School.

In all majors, the Capstone Experience involves completing a significant piece of work that requires the integration and application of learning from multiple courses.

The student teaching practicum and capstone seminar in the final year of study are the culminating experience for students completing majors in education. The experience integrates supervised student teaching with a seminar that requires active reflection on instructional practice. Students complete a portfolio to demonstrate their achievement of the learning goals of the Education major.